RIGHTS CATALOGUE ADULT FICTION SPRING 2018 This is Rights & Brands We bring Nordic rights to a global arena. Our background is in literature, art and design. We are a 360 agency using all aspects of character representation and branding, from publishing and PR to licensing, merchandising and digital presence. With a worldwide network of sub-agents and over 700 clients, our international knowledge and business capacity is unique. What we do We are a literary rights and brand licensing agency. Starting from a strategic base in Nordic literature and design, our platform is built on knowledge, passion and people. With a dozen sub-agents in key markets ­like Japan, Korea and China and over 700 clients worldwide, we are opening up our business network to Nordic rights holders, authors, illustrators and designers. What we can do for you Based on our experiences and successes with the Moomin brand and with an established international platform, we are building publishing rights as well as potential licensing, merchandising and digital platforms. With your brand and our knowledge we will open up new markets and business areas. rightsandbrands

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2 Eve Hietamies | Commercial Fiction

Dad around the clock

A hilarious and poignant story of a single dad taking care of his son since newborn. hoto: Jouni H arala Jouni hoto: P EVE HIETAMIES (b. 1964) is author of several acclaimed and hugely entertaining novels. She writes with great dramatic skill, often describing exceptional situations and family relation- ships with poignancy, emotional strength and black humour. She works as a journalist at one of the biggest weekly magazines Bottle Business Daycare Drama School Shock in and has also written Dad Around The Clock Dad Around The Clock #2 Dad Around The Clock #3 numerous scripts for popular (Yösyöttö) (Tarhapäivä) (Hammaskeiju) television series. PAGES: 300 PAGES 300 PAGES: 300 FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish in 2010 FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish by Otava Publishing Company in 2012 by Otava Publishing in 2017 by Otava Publishing Company Company Sparklingly funny … makes Marriage? Check. Mortgage? Check. you laugh whether you Family car? Check. When the father and son Oskar has started first grade have children or don’t. But plans change six days after his family unit takes in a friend’s and has a cellphone of his Cosmopolitan son is born. Holding the snuffling bundle daughter as a temporary own. Suddenly Jonas’ phone of his newborn son, Jonas watches as houseguest, Jonas and Oskar line gets very busy. Who could Seriously hilarious the receding taillights of a taxi carry discover how many different have imagined all the little and Turun Sanomat away his wife – and with them, his shades of pink there really are. bigger problems a seven-year- An exhilarating and expectations of a normal, nuclear family old can face? touching story life. Enter the great unknown of night Anna magazine feeds, sleep-deprivation and mountains “Goodbye to sex, nights out and work jollies. Hello of diapers. burp cloths, baby formula and Teletubbies. How do the single-dad and the baby survive through the first two years as a But where the hell is a bloke like me The movie adaptation of the family of two men? supposed to access those primeval 120 000 novel Bottle Business was awarded the prize for Best maternal genes?” copies Nordic Feature at the Nordic sold in International Film Festival in Finland New York in October 2017. 3 Cosy Crime | Eppu Nuotio Garden As light and as warm as a blanket one needs on Crime a terrace on a Finnish summer night. Kodin Kuvalehti

Ellen Spring Investigates

This cosy crime series introduces us to a charming modern day Miss Marple who delights readers with her passion, astuteness, and practical skills capable of solving any kind of mess. Ellen Spring, recently retired and widowed, is in the prime of her life at the age of 58. She loves to travel and is obsessed by the perennials in her garden. However, Ellen is also an exceptionally perceptive individual, with a curious mind, an ability to smell a rat, and an interesting circle of friends.

The White Flowers Of Poison Dead Flowers And Mothers-In-Law Ellen Spring Investigates 1 Ellen Spring Investigates 2 (Myrkkykeiso) (Anopinhammas) PAGES: 252 PAGES: 350

o T ynkkynen ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN Finnish in 2017 ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN Finnish in 2018 by Otava Publishing Company by Otava Publishing Company

hoto: M ar j hoto: A young mother takes some time off alone Ellen is on a garden holiday in Andalucía, when P at the summer cottage. Her husband is she runs into a Spanish-Finnish wedding party. EPPU NUOTIO (b. 1962) overwhelmed by the sudden responsibility of Convinced that their meeting in this far-flung writes for adults, children, taking care of their young daughter. Luckily, corner of the world must be a good omen, the theatre and TV. Nuotio’s Ellen Spring has the time and the means to bride invites Ellen to attend the wedding. thrillers have been critical, as help. The happy couple are married and the well as commercial, successes But when the mother doesn’t return in time, celebrations continue into the small hours. In in Finland. In her novels, she it seems Ellen has more work to do than she the morning, Ellen is woken by a shrill cry. It emphasises current events and originally prepared herself for. How did this must be the peacocks, she thinks, but as she headline topics such as racism beautiful young woman with an apparently makes her way to breakfast, a grisly surprise and multiculturalism. perfect life disappear? awaits in the hotel lobby.

4 Kati Hiekkapelto | Nordic Noir

KATI HIEKKAPELTO (b. 1970) is a special needs teacher by training. She lives on an old farm on the island of Hailuoto in Northern Finland. Hiekkapelto has been an immigration’s teacher and lived in the Hungarian region of Serbia. Hiekkapelto’s first novel The Hummingbird was published in spring 2013 and was the start of the detective series featuring Anna Fekete. oukala

: A ki R OTO ANNA FEKETE SERIES h P

The Hummingbird The Defenceless The Exiled (Kolibri) (Suojattomat) (Tumma) PAGES: 381 PAGES: 301 PAGES: 303 FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish in 2013 by Otava Publishing in 2014 by Otava Publishing in 2016 by Otava Publishing Company Company Company

Hungarian by ethnicity, Yugoslav When an old man is found dead Anna Fekete decides she will by birth, one-time refugee Anna on the road, detective Anna Fekete spend the summer relaxing in Fekete’s career as a detective begins is certain that there is more to the region of her birth-place, in a in a northern Finnish coastal town. the incident than meets the eye. small Serbian town. While cele­ Although fully integrated into her Anna is led on a deadly trail brating the local wines, Anna’s new homeland, the young immi- where illegal immigration, drugs purse is stolen. It doesn’t take grant considers herself a stranger, and, ultimately, murder threaten long to find the thief – dead on perhaps most of all to herself. not only her beliefs, but her life. the riverbank. The local police A young woman has been Amid the increasingly dangerous is reluctant to conduct a proper killed on a running trail, and a police investigations Anna finds investigation, so Anna takes pendant depicting an Aztec god herself racked with homesickness. matters into her own hands. has been found in her possession. Meanwhile, Anna’s partner The trail of clues unexpectedly Another murder soon follows. All Esko is investigating the activities leads Anna to her own family, to signs point to a serial killer. But of an immigrant gang. Deportation closely guarded secrets concealing can Anna catch the Hummingbird orders and raids result in desper- a horrendous travesty of justice. before he – or she – strikes again? ate measures by gang members As layer after layer of corruption, An incident potentially indicat- – and the police themselves. Then a deceit and guilt are revealed, ing honour violence also requires bloody knife is found in the snow Anna is caught up in the refugee Anna’s attention: a teen-aged Kurd and the two cases come together crisis spreading like wildfire girl, Dijar, has called the police in ways that no one could have across Europe. claiming to be in danger. predicted.

The Defenceless was the Best Finnish Crime Novel of the year and was nominated for the Glass Key award. All three titles have been nominated for the Petrona Award in the UK.

5 Nordic Noir | Jesse Haaja and Helena Waris

Jesse Haaja’s and Helena Waris’ Rendel (Rendel) PAGES: 230 ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN Finnish in 2017 by Like All Netherholme titles awarded The Best Fantasy Novel of the Year a Publishing

Jukka Ramo is a financial manager living an idyllic life with his Helena Waris' family until a series of bad decisions destroys it all. He becomes Netherholme Trilogy Rendel, a masked superhero, who sets out to take revenge on a (Pohjakontu-trilogia) multinational drug corporation, VALA. A Path Drawn to a Dream As the stakes rise, a strike team of international assassins led (Uniin piirretty polku) by the one-eyed Radeki also appear on the stage. hoto & artwork: Jesse H aa j & artwork: hoto

P The Wolf Children (Sudenlapset) Winterblooded (Talviverinen)

PAGES: 334-454 A thrilling big-budget ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN super hero movie is Finnish in 2009, 2011 and 2013 now a novel. Movie by Otava publishing company Stout-hearted thundermen, distribution rights sold a

s c han fearless maidens, romance and to over 30 territories dashing wordplay – the land- around the world! scapes of primeval Finland are ruled by shamanic powers and oto: Juuli A oto: Jesse H aa j oto:

PH PH eternal love. The world is sliding JESSE HAAJA is a movie HELENA WARIS (b. 1970) inevitably towards long winter. director who made his first has won the Kuvastaja prize, Only one family – that of Ailegais, sketches of Rendel in grammar awarded by the Finnish Tolkien Arni, and Troi with their spouses school. From its beginnings as a Socity, for an unrivalled four and children – will survive it. small-budget indie project, the times. Her atmospheric fantasy The acclaimed Netherholme film has blossomed into a 1.3 novels draw inspiration from trilogy is Nordic fantasy at its Read more on million-euro juggernaut bound Finnish folklore, but the recent strongest with atmospheric writ- rendelmovie.com for international distribution. books present a new side of ing, tortured characters and feel of the author: mystery adventure the ancient powers at the reader’s writer of true page-turners. fingertips.

6 Kai Erik | Literary Mystery The new Stephen King comes from Finland! Tiroler Tageszeitung, Austria

For those starving for literature, The

Evil Book serves up a olmström

sublimely scrumptious ekka H dish of traditional

mystery spiced with P photo: KAI ERIK (Kaj Korkea-aho, a relaxed, youthful b. 1983) is one of the most sensibility. talented and distinguished Finland-Swedish writers of his Helsingin Sanomat generation. In his novels, he deals with the themes of growing up and coming-of-age, as well as the role friends and friendship The Evil Book The Grass Is Darker on the play during those crucial years. (Onda boken) Other Side Despite subtle elements of the PAGES: 330 | FIRST PUBLISHED IN Swedish in (Gräset är mörkare på andra sidan) supernatural, the world of Kai 2015 by Schildts & Söderströms PAGES: 426 | FIRST PUBLISHED IN Swedish in Erik’s novels always rings true: 2012 by Schildts & Söderströms the characters are relatable, the Evil forces take over a university campus when a environments recognisable. literature student stumbles across a calamitous Sofie has driven off the road and died in the violent However, underneath the manuscript from the 1920s. crash. When her fiancé Benjamin sees the photo taken familiar surface is a vague, In the middle of a normal lecture, university by a speed surveillance camera, he is astonished: it creeping feeling that something teacher Mickel Backman gets a real chill: he is seems Sofie was not alone in the car. Was it an acci- is horribly and permanently ‘off’. confronted by one of his students about a book that dent after all? The haunting images of Sofie’s secret This is gripping fiction with a should never be spoken of. A book that is also tangled life awaken memories in Benjamin’s mind, eating strong and distinctive voice and with his own darkest secrets and an illicit romance. up the grieving young man. Passion and secrets allusions to literary heritage. How could Pasi Maars, a listless student, ever have intertwine in a tangled web in this literary thriller. Kai Erik is also a popular heard of Leander Granlund, a deeply disturbed young Kai Erik’s debut won the Prize of The Society of comedian, a screenwriter, and poet from the 1920s who wrote only one collection Swedish Literature in Finland. an author to the laugh-out-loud of poetry which was never published? series of illustrated fiction But poems that went missing decades ago cannot for young readers about the possibly do anyone any harm – or can they? every-day life of a teenage boy, called The Zoo. The Evil Book was awarded the Best Read of the Year by the Booksellers and Librarians in Finland.

7 Historical Fiction | Olli Jalonen

The Celestial Sphere (Taivaanpallo) PAGES: 380 PUBLISHED ORIGINALLY IN Finnish in 2018 by Otava Publishing Company

Young Angus, an apprentice to the scientist Edmond Halley, grows up on the mystical island of St. Helena.

When his family is endangered, and the peace of the ekka N ieminen whole island is disturbed, Angus is sent to London hoto: P hoto:

to join his teacher. But who could have guessed that P this peasant boy would go on to play a role in the OLLI JALONEN (b. 1954) is history of science? one of Finland’s most respected In this glorious novel set in the 1680s, science authors. Since 1978, he has and religion go head-to-head in a duel as the rays of written over 15 works of fiction, the Enlightenment can be seen in the horizon. some non-fiction and a children’s fantasy novel. He has received 14 Knots To Greenwich several important literary prizes, (14 solmua Greenwichiin) including the Finlandia Prize, Pages: 381 and he has been nominated for PUBLISHED ORIGINALLY IN Finnish in 2008 by the Nordic Council Literature Otava Publishing Company Prize three times. Jalonen has lived in Finland, After years of silence, Petri receives an email from and Ireland, working as Graham, an old university friend, inviting him to a reporter, information officer participate in an unusual challenge: to travel around and researcher. His extensive the world along the Prime Meridian, in honour of oeuvre also includes radio plays the 350th birthday of astronomer Edmond Halley, and scripts for screen and stage. using the same modes of transportation that Halley himself would have used in his day. Jalonen’s novels are like Graham’s wife Isla comes along on their haphazard incantations. One remains journey, and later they’re joined by Petri’s younger under their spell for a long brother, Kari. The chemistry between these two grows stronger as sight of their destination becomes time afterwards. more indistinct. Pohjolan Sanomat 14 Knots to Greenwich is a distinguished, Finnish modern classic novel that was shortlisted for both A brilliant novel about intimacy, the Finlandia and Runeberg prizes, the two most distance and zero points of life. prestigious literary awards in Finland. Kouvolan Sanomat

8 Sirpa Kähkönen | Historical Fiction and Non-Fiction

Well composed like a symphony of Sibelius … Her empathy with each of her characters – female, male, young, old, friend, traitor – is fabulous. What a poignant novel! JYLLANDS-POSTEN, DENMARK ommi T uomi ommi photo: T photo: SIRPA KÄHKÖNEN (b. 1964) is one of the most acclaimed writers of upmarket historical fiction in Finland. Her beau- tiful language creates precise Granite Man literary depictions and strong (Graniittimies) atmospheres. Kähkönen is above PAGES: 334 all exceptional at portraying FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish in 2014 women and children, their by Otava Publishing Company The Summer of Tanks The Flames of Love and challenges and their experiences. (Tankkien kesä) Hatred In her novels, she often observes What happened to those young people PAGES: 412 Finland in the 1930s the life of civilians in times that believed in the promise of freedom? FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish (Vihan ja rakkauden liekit) of crisis and how utopias and Did the Soviet Union meet the hopes of in 2016 by Otava Publishing PAGES: 287 ideologies affect different those who fled east to escape persecu- Company FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish individuals. tion at home? in 2010 by Otava Publishing Kähkönen has been Ilya, Klara and Lavr have left their In August 1968, an architect Company nominated for the Nordic home country for the realm of freedom. returning to his hometown, Council Literature Prize and the They have changed their names and lan- witnesses the demolition of Sirpa Kähkönen’s grandfather, Finlandia Prize four times. She guage; they have left everything behind. the town’s old wooden houses a committed communist, spent has been the chairwoman of In Petrograd, the streets are crowded making way for new devel- seven years in a labour camp Finnish PEN, and she is known with homeless children. Klara starts to opments and with it, all the during the 1920s. Amidst the as an outspoken media person- work at a shelter rescuing those she can. memories of the people who heightened political struggle, ality on freedom of speech and But when Petrograd becomes Leningrad, lived there. Reflecting on his hatred and broken dreams, societal issues. life gets dangerous for those whose roots childhood, he questions what the flames of forbidden love arouse suspicion. really happened in the spring endured. The acclaimed Finn- Granite Man was nominated for the of 1945. Where did his child- ish author charts the tragic Nordic Council Literature Prize and the hood friend disappear? destiny of communists in a Finlandia Prize. divided Finland.

9 Historical Fiction | Antti Tuuri

The movie The Eternal Road was nominated for a record 13 prizes at Finland’s national film awards. ILKKA : Jouni H arala : Jouni OTO ph ANTTI TUURI (b. 1944) grad- uated in graphic engineering in 1972, but has devoted himself to writing since 1983. Alchemist� 2. He is a portrayer of the Sacred Marriage middle class, a behaviourist (Alkemistit II. Taivaalliset characterized by a precise style häät) coloured by Ostrobothnian PAGES: 397 humour. Tuuri uses language FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish accurately, without wasting in 2014 by Otava Publishing words, with great clarity of Company narrative. He pays a lot of The Eternal Road attention to man as a link in the (Ikitie) August Nordenskjöld has run natural chain, living at nature’s PAGES: 431 into bankruptcy, travelled to mercy. FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish in 2011 The Alchemists 1. Earthly Stockholm and left his assis- Tuuri’s works have been Love by Otava Publishing Company tant Bergklint to suffer the translated into 25 languages and (Alkemistit. Maallinen rakkaus) jibes of the creditors. Soon he has been awarded the Nordic Jussi Ketola brought a brand of socialism PAGES: 382 heartening news comes from Council Literature Prize and the with him from America. One night in the FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish Sweden: King Gustav III has Finlandia Prize. summer of 1930, right-wing extremists in 2013 by Otava Publishing agreed to fund a new attempt Company abduct him and he is forced to walk the to make gold. route called the Eternal Road towards the Soviet Union. There he works on August Nordenskjöld is intro- Occultism, adventure, affairs of a collective farm. When Stalin’s purges duced to alchemy at home by an the heart and the everpresent begin, the workers’ paradise turns into uncle attempting to make gold. A threat of bankruptcy – these hell. student at the Academy of Turku, high-spirited historical novels Antti Tuuri is August delves into the writings are based on the eventful lives The movie based on the novel was part of of Swedenborg and continues his of two 18th-century Finns a virtuoso of the official Finland 100 programme, and studies in alchemy in Stockholm who devoted themselves to storytelling. it is being shown in several countries. and London. alchemy. HELSINGIN SANOMAT

10 | Gift books | Essays and Quotes Work and Love Tove Jansson (1914-2001), Finnish-Swedish writer and artist, achieved worldwide fame as the creator of the , written and illustrated between 1945 and 1970. The books about the Moomins have been translated into more than 50 languages and are still in print all over the world today. The Moomins were only a part of Jansson’s prodigious output. Already admired in Nordic art circles as a painter, cartoonist and illustrator, she would go on to write a series of classic novels and short stories. She remains Scandinavia’s best loved author. Tove Jansson’s work reflected the tenets of her life: her love of family, of nature, and her insistence on freedom to pursue her art. “Work and love” was the motto she chose for herself and her approach to both was joyful and uncompromising. Happiness. A Book Tove Jansson – The Boulevard and for Lovers A Gift of Words Other Texts (Vi: en romantisk bok för (Tove Jansson – Sanojen (Bulevarden och älskande) lahja) andra texter) PAGES: 80 PAGES: 540 PAGES: 201 FIRST PUBLISHED IN: 1965 FIRST PUBLISHED IN: 2017 FIRST PUBLISHED IN: 2017 ove Jansson TM Jansson ove © T This beautiful gift book Tove Jansson had a passion The Boulevard and Other Texts for lovers and their mem- for art, life, love – and a gift contains fifteen ­-knownun ories, has recently been of words. This beautiful short stories and illustrated rediscovered and carefully book contains selected essays, published in various restored. Written by Tove quotes by Tove Jansson, papers by Tove Jansson, Jansson and illustrated by spanning across her full but never before as a book. Signe “Ham” Hammarsten literary output. Tove’s words The texts will add another Jansson, Tove’s mother, this will inspire and offer hope, dimension to Tove’s mul- book was first published in courage, comfort and joy to tifaceted work. This richly Swedish in 1965 and has readers of all ages. illustrated book has been not been re-published since. edited by Tove Jansson The perfect gift for weddings, expert Sirke Happonen. anniversaries and treasured moments.

11 Fiction | Tove Jansson

Sculptor’s Daughter: The Summer Book Messages. A selection of Travelling Light A Childhood Memoir (Sommarboken) short stories (Resa med lätt bagage) (Bildhuggarens dotter) PAGES:160 (Meddelande) PAGES: 224 PAGES: 192 FIRST PUBLISHED IN: 1972 PAGES: 303 FIRST PUBLISHED IN: 1987 FIRST PUBLISHED IN: 1968 FIRST PUBLISHED IN: 1998 A novel about seemingly endless A collection of twelve short stories ­ Tove Jansson’s first book for summers of discovery. An elderly Drawn from youth and older age, about ­inner and outer journeys. adults. Her childhood memories artist and her six year old grand- spanning most of the twentieth About people in new surround- capture the enchantments and daughter spend the summer on a century, this is a marvellous ings and new relationships. fears of growing up in Helsinki tiny island in the Finnish archi- collection of Tove Jansson’s prose, Philosophical and profound, in the beginning of the twentieth pelago, their solitude disturbed scattered with insights and home with Jansson’s signature deceptive century. The book offers sharp only by migrating birds, sudden truths. Messages features several lightness, this book is guaranteed observations on the mysteries storms and an occasional passing stories from The Sculptor’s Daughter to surprise and transport. of winter ice, the bonhomie of boat. as well as her most appreciatied balaika parties, and the vastness of later stories. Christmas viewed from beneath the tree.

12 Tove Jansson | Fiction

Fair Play Letters from Klara and The Listener The True Deceiver (Rent spel) Other Stories (Lyssnerskan) (Den ärliga bedragaren) PAGES: 152 (Brev från Klara) PAGES: 192 PAGES: 208 FIRST PUBLISHED IN: 1989 PAGES: 175 FIRST PUBLISHED IN: 1971 FIRST PUBLISHED IN: 1982 FIRST PUBLISHED IN: 1991 Fair Play depicts the love be­­tween The Listener was the first of Tove The lies we tell ourselves and the two older women, a writer and Tove Jansson explores the com­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ Jansson’s books to be published lies we tell others – this is the an artist, as they work side-by- p­licated games and relationships after the death of her mother, subject of Tove Jansson’s The True side, travel together and share between people in this short story the point at which she declared Deceiver, her most unnerving and summers on a remote Finnish collection. the Moomin series over. This unpredictable novel. Here Jansson island. Jansson’s philo­sophical Letters from Klara showcases collection of short stories is takes a darker look at the subjects prose about human generosity the differences in relationships different from Jansson’s previous that are the core of her writing; and respect perfectly echoes her and how a simple letter can reveal work; fragmentary, starting and solitude and community, art and signature subjects; work and love. just as much of the sender as of the stopping in the middle of things, life, love and hate. receiver. concerned more with situations

than plots. Fascinatingly, the illus-

trator Edward Gorey appears in one of the stories saying “It’s the unexpressed that interests me … it’s a mistake to clarify everything”, and that could well stand for Jansson’s writing here, too.

13 Fiction | Tove Jansson

The Field of Stones Notes from an Island The Doll’s House Sun City (Stenåkern) (Anteckningar från en ö) (Art in Nature) (Solstaden) EXTENT: 108 PAGES: 103 (Dockskåpet) PAGES: 160 FIRST PUBLISHED IN: 1984 FIRST PUBLISHED IN: 1996 PAGES: 208 FIRST PUBLISHED IN: 1974 FIRST PUBLISHED IN: 1978 Recently retired journalist Jonas Notes from the island of Klov­ A darker version of a perfect leaves the city to spend the sum- harun, with illustrations by A collection of 12 short sto­ries world, mirrored through the mer in the country with his two Tuulikki Pietilä, the book covers about obsession and ambition. population of a Florida retirement daughters. Tasked with writing all aspects of Jansson’s and Pietilä’s Witty, sharp and often disquiet- home. This book about alienation, the biography of the unpleasant time in the Finnish archipelago. ing, Tove Jansson’s stories look at abandonment and ageing looks ‘Y’, he soon finds it morphing into Also covering the eventual deci- human existence, where puzzles at the subject of the ever present the story of his own damaged sion to give up their summers and uncertainty, even illness and death and how some people family life. Written with a light on the island, as ever showing danger, have positive and magical simply choose to ignore it. sense of humor, the dark subjects Jansson’s willingness to discuss potential. The stories also reveal of this book are easily accessible. the more difficult aspects of life. the fault-lines in our relationship with art, both as artists and as consumers.

14 Tove Jansson | Moomin Comics ove Jansson TM Jansson ove © T

Moomin Collected Comics vol 1-10 The Moomin comics were originally cre- ated by Tove Jansson and her brother Lars Jansson for the Evening News in London, at the time the world’s biggest newspaper. The comic was commissioned in the 50’s and the creative siblings produced the daily adventures for over 20 years. The comics were syndicated to 120 newspa- pers in over 40 countries, reaching more The fantastic comic than 20 million readers daily. adventures of the The comics are now being collected Moomins are now and published in chronological order and available as single story, once again attaining worldwide success. colour comic books. 14 10 volumes in b/w titles available now, and PAGES:approx 106 per volume more to come! Moomin and the Martians 14 titles Moomin’s Desert Island PAGES: 48-64 Moomin and the Golden Tail Moomin and the Comet Moomin Builds a House Moomin and the Sea Moomin Falls in Love Moomin’s Winter Follies Moomin Deluxe Moominvalley Turns Jungle Anniversary Club Life in Moominvalley Edition Moomin and Family Life PAGES: 448 Moominmamma’s Maid Collected comics box with Moomin Begins a New Life sketch material and poster.

15 Comics | Mauri Kunnas

MAURI KUNNAS (b. 1950) is undoubtedly one of Finland’s most successful children’s book authors today. He has published nearly 50 books, which have been translated into 34 languages and sold almost 9 million books in 36 countries. Kunnas is also widely appreci- ated by adults, particularly for his comics. BEATLES with an A. Birth of a Band (Piitles. Tarina erään rockbändin alkutaipaleesta) PAGES:80, illustrations in colour FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish in 2012 by Otava Publishing Company Mac Moose and the Case of Jag Migraine (Mac Moose ja Jagge Migreenin tapaus) Kunnas the cartoonist’s smashing tribute to the PAGES:54, illustrations in colour world’s most legendary rock band; the first beats of FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish in 2013 by Otava the Beatles’ career in words and images as only Mauri Publishing Company Kunnas could tell them. In this comic book, featuring four-colour illustra- Jag Migraine and Keeth Britches, the leads of the tions throughout, Mauri Kunnas tells the story of four mega-famous band The Rolling Gallstones are being lads from Liverpool who love to play music, head for brainwashed in the Alps instead of rehearsing for the the clubs of Hamburg to do some gigs – and end up upcoming charity concert ... Will the resourceful Mac world-famous. The book offers thoroughly researched Moose succeed in saving the concert and securing information from the core of pop culture and rock world peace? Mauri Kunnas’s rock-and-roll comic history, hilarious moments and details that not even book first appeared in black and white in 1995, but dedicated fans remember having heard before – and the rocking re-issues are now in full colour. all of this told with a Kunnas’ characteristic raucous

humour and masterly drawing skills. ösönen a L j K at photo:

16 Sami Makkonen | Graphic Novels

Kalevala (Kalevala) PAGES: 296 PUBLISHING IN spring 2019 Co-printing opportunities available

A stunning comic adaptation of the Finnish national ikko K utvonen M ikko hoto:

epic Kalevala, which inspired J.R.R. Tolkien to write P Silmarillion and Lord of the Rings. The story tells the Finnish illustrator SAMI adventures and fates of wizard Väinämöinen, warrior MAKKONEN is probably best Lemminkäinen, black-smith Ilmarinen and several known for his four volumes of other larger than-life-characters looking for love, the Eisner Award nominated riches and magic in the far-away lands of the ancient Hatter M series, which has North. The world of Kalevala is lyrical, harsh and made the NY Times best-selling totally unique. list. Other works include Ryse: Sword of Damocles, and covers for Clive Barker’s Hellraiser series. Makkonen has also received the Sarijas Award for Best Fantasy Comic and has been nominated for a number of other awards, including the Ghastly Awards for horror work.

17 Graphic Novels | Dag Frognes

The Saga of Ulvhedin (Ulvhedins saga) PAGES: 132

Set in Norway during the Viking Age and the late 9th century, The Saga of Ulvhedin tells the story of hoto stener frognes stener hoto

Ulvhedin Aunsson, a fearsome warrior. Amidst the P power struggles of kings and earls for sole rulership DAG FROGNES is a Norwe- over Norway, Ulvhedin is set on his own battle. gian writer and illustrator with Fighting as one of King Harald Halvdansson’s men, a university degree in history, Ulvhedin acts as a spy and assassin. Believing himself classical languages and teaching. to be sent by the Norse god Odin to revenge the Dag has written and illustrated slaughter of his family, Ulvhedin uses his position history books as well as scripts to hunt down his enemies, killing them one by for the Phantom comic. He has one. However, as King Harald faces enemies from received the Norwegian Cultural Denmark, England, Ireland and in the fight Department’s prize for best to win his kingdom, Ulvhedin realizes that danger comic of the year and an award lurks everywhere – even among friends. for best design of school books. The Saga of Ulvhedin is his first graphic novel.

18 Pekka Lehtosaari and Hannu Lukkarinen | Graphic Novels

The battle at Raate Road was a battle fought during the Winter War between the Soviet Union and Finland in January 1940. The battle is also known as Frozen Hell, where Finland defended itself against the Red Army, the local military vastly outnumbered by its Soviet counterparts. Using “motti” (encircling) tactics, three Finnish regiments managed to cut off Red Army supply chains, destroy two Soviet divisions as well as a tank brigade trapped on the road in the freezing cold, with temperatures plummeting to -40 degrees. Frozen Hell is a visual account of this memorable battle of David versus Goliath.

Frozen Hell (Raatteen Tie) PAGES: 66 FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish in 2017 by Otava Publishing Company PEKKA LEHTOSAARI is a HANNU LUKKARINEN is director/screenwriter whose an artist with over forty years films and tv-series have been of experience in the field, and sold to over forty countries. He over seventy books to his has been working with Disney credit. He started drawing for twenty years and has also graphic novels in 1995. He has localized all Hayao Miyazaki been published in France, Italy, movies to Finnish. He wrote Germany and China. his first published comic strip in1974.

19 Graphic Novels | Hannele Mikaela Taivassalo and Catherine Anyango Grünewald Welcome to NeoScandia, the most perfect, pretty and sanitised place you’ve ever seen. Though, it’s unlikely that you will be permitted in – and it’s very easy to be shown the way out.

Scandorama (Scandorama) PAGES: 66, with illustrations in colour FIRST PUBLISHED IN Swedish in 2018 by Förlaget

In Stohome, everything is clean and brightly lit, but across the bay you will find the shabby Helsingy city. In its backstreets dwells homo felinus, human beings that have no place in Scandorama. The young Miscat is one of them; a genetic hybrid between a woman and a cat. When Miscat goes undercover on a resistance mission, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to a certain golden boy who lives in an area of Scandorama that she will never be able to enter. The orderly-yet-xenophobic Scandorama is a Scandinavian indström dystopia – or utopia? – of an idyllic society, where humans are perfect and the borders are closed. hoto: M ikael L hoto: P CATHERINE ANYANGO GRÜNEWALD (b. 1982) is a Swedish-Kenyan artist who has published, lectured and exhib- ited internationally. She studied at Central Saint Martins and The Royal College of Art in London, where she also taught for ten years. She currently works in Sweden as a Senior Lecturer at Konstfack University. Her graphic novel adaptation of Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness was awarded the Observer’s Graphic Novel of the Month and it has been translated into seven languages to date.

20 Hannele Mikaela Taivassalo | Fiction In Transit is a major postmodern novel Österbottens tidning andström iklas S N iklas hoto: P HANNELE MIKAELA TAIVASSALO (b. 1974) is one of the most exciting and fresh literary authors in Finland today. Her unique, feminine voice, the In Transit Famished Oh, Come See distinct spark in her writing, (In Transit) (Svulten) (Åh, kom och se har) and the exceptional sensitivity PAGES: 459 PAGES: 246 PAGES:150 to rhythm in her language make FIRST PUBLISHED IN Swedish in FIRST PUBLISHED IN Swedish FIRST PUBLISHED IN Swedish her truly stand out. 2016 by Förlaget in 2013 by Schildts & in 2010 by Schildts & In her novels, Taivassalo Söderströms Söderströms explores the themes of contin- When she was younger, Galadriel, uous movement, of leaving, of G, lay on the floor in her room and Famished is a story about the last A woman with blonde hair dies restlessness and displacement, dreamt of New Orleans, The North vampire, Jorunn Sjalfhamnd. In on the floor of the Opera House but also of the joy of discover- Pole and of wonderful places close the late 1700’s, she accepted an on a sunny afternoon. This is the ing. She writes about desire and to the equator. She left as soon as offer of love above her own stand, beginning of the novel, and it is sex exceptionally well and excels she could, set her life in London and it ended fatally. She now where the story ends. in describing the erotic charge for a while, then in Los Angeles, wanders the streets of Helsinki, People are carried on the between her characters. She has then Bombay. hungry and with one desire: to passenger ship from Helsinki to been awarded several prizes, for G has loved passionately, die. But first, she must get her Stockholm and back. In one city, a example Finlandspris in 2017 desired the forbidden, and revenge. child is left alone. In the other, the for her “unique authorship”, her transformed irrevocably. Now blonde woman has a passionate “novels with unexpected twists” she is back, and has brought The affair. The question is: How fragile and for “detailed, lyric and Stranger with her. Is she capable is the mind, and how easily is the impressionistic prose”. of sharing her life? body broken? In Transit is a glorious lit- erary novel about the boldness to release oneself and be led by The language is so beautiful that even ejaculation desire. It is a story about passion, on the inner thigh sounds like the most tasteful and about what it’s like to be the other woman. and the most fulfilling cupcake Svenska YLE

21 Fiction | Cristina Sandu Debut novel

Debut novel nominated for The Finlandia Prize

The Whale Called Goliath Sandu’s writing is strong and melancholy, poetic and (Valas nimeltä Goliat) flowing, and it weaves memories, stories and legends PAGES: 265 to an impressive whole. Svenska YLE FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish in 2017 by Otava Publishing Company CRISTINA SANDU (b. 1989) was born in Helsinki to a Finnish- Romanian family who loved books. She has studied literature at the University of Helsinki and the University of Edinburgh, and speaks

O TYNKKYNEN six languages. She currently lives in the UK and works at Tyler and Francis publishers in Oxford. photo: MAR J photo:

In 1960’s in the middle of the Cold War, a finback whale travels to Bucharest, Romania, to be put on show. It is sus- piciously the same size as a Ballistic missile. Not far from Bucharest, in a small commune called the Red Village, a father decides to take his two sons to see the whale. That day changes the lives of these two boys. The narrator of the story is Alba, born and raised in Hel- sinki. When her grandfather dies, she travels back to the Red Village where she used to spend her summer holidays as a child. She is entangled in her family’s dark and fascinating past, as well as in the history of the village itself. A history which includes an earthquake, the arrival of a bride from a faraway land and the whale that travelled the world. Cristina Sandu’s novel was nominated for the Finlandia This is exactly how memories, youth Prize as the only debut out of the six nominees, and it has and the past should be written. received rave reviews. Helsingin Sanomat Beautiful as a prayer. Keskisuomalainen

22 Emma Holm | Fiction Nominated for the Best Debut of the Year in Sweden

A bridge between the sensual melancholia of Lost in Translation and the road trip angst of Thelma & Louise, with the occasional touch of David Lynch’s surrealist discomfort. Aftonbladet

Vera and Iris were inseparable as children, The Road Up North growing up as neighbours in Stockholm. (Skäl) A chance encounter reunites the two PAGES: 160 FIRST PUBLISHED IN Swedish in 2017

c h young women after years apart. During an by Modernista tor alcohol-fuelled conversation on a deserted playground at night, the pair resolve to deal with both their futures and the enemy of the past. hoto: Jasmin S Jasmin hoto: P They steal a car and embark on a road EMMA HOLM (b. 1988) grew up in Södermalm, trip to the North, the destination a place Stockholm, where her debut where they had spent their childhood novel is partially set. A former summers. A place where something student of rhetoric at Uppsala unresolved happened. Feeling the rush University, Holm also holds a BA of their new-found freedom, Vera and in Literature from Stockholm University. She takes a strong Iris are also faced with the question: who interest in feminist issues and have they become? And is it possible to the dynamics within relation- save something that was once lost? ships, groups and society. Typified by a strong, clear Emma Holm’s debut novel has received and elegant style, Holm’s writing rave reviews in Sweden. It is an elegant has been influenced by writers and explosively emotional story about such as Tove Jansson, Raymond friendship, guilt, sexuality - and revenge. Carver, Sylvia Plath and Lydia Davis. She also works as a children’s book critic for Dagens Nyheter newspaper. Spicy, unsentimental and skilful without boasting. Borås News

I’m very much looking forward to Holm’s future works, as I’m more than convinced that a great author has been born. Aftonbladet Culture Debut novel

23 Fiction | Riikka Pulkkinen hoto: Jouni H arala Jouni hoto: P RIIKKA PULKKINEN (b. 1980) True is among the foremost names of (Totta) are slipping away. Her daughter the new generation of Finnish PAGES: 333 Anna learns by chance the story literary authors and one of FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish of Eleonoora’s nanny, Eeva, in the the best known contemporary in 2010 by Otava Publishing 1960s when the pill had been Finnish writers internationally. Company invented but the pick-up line Her novels are compelling hadn’t. stories told in gracefully flowing International bestseller with rights sold to 20 territories True is a story of how memory prose; family sagas exploring the The Best of All can deceive us, because it is the closely guarded secrets of the Possible Worlds As her mother is dying, Ele- most merciful thing to do. It was past and their impact on people. (Paras mahdollinen maailma) onoora’s childhood memories nominated for the Finlandia Prize. The prize-winning author is PAGES: 350 loved both by the critics and by FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish her avid and large readership of in 2016 by Otava Publishing The Limit The Book of Strangers various ages. Company (Raja) (Vieras) PAGES: 399 PAGES: 301 The tragedy that took place in Ber- FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish in FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish The more I read, the more lin tears apart a family: a mother 2006 by Gummerus Publishing in 2012 by Otava Publishing I realise how rare those who has made a horrible mistake, Company Striking debut that was met books are that remind you a father who cannot find a way with rave reviews and immedi- why you turned to liter- out of his sorrow, and a daughter ate sales success in Finland. Maria, a parish pastor, travels who misremembers. to New York where she meets a ature once upon a time. Anja struggles with her promise woman who opens the door to But if only one in every to help her husband, suffering the world of dance. She gains the hundred books you read Thanks to Pulkkinen’s from early Alzheimer’s disease, courage to reflect on the secret are like True, that’s good dramatic strength and to die. Meanwhile, her 16-year she has carried across the ocean: enough. empathy, The Best of All old self-mutilating niece, Mari, What evil was done to a little girl helsingborgs Dagblad, starts a passionate affair with her who tried to make Finland her Possible Worlds reads as a Sweden psychological thriller… All teacher. Their love is observed by home? her images, thoughts and his six-year old daughter. sentences are both beautiful and powerful. Melancholic but beautifully written, I predict True will appeal to readers De Standaard, Belgium who enjoyed Siri Hustvedt’s What I Loved. Australian Women’s Weekly

24 Asko Sahlberg | Fiction ommi T ukiainen ommi hoto: T hoto: P ASKO SAHLBERG (b. 1964) The Many Deaths of Irina Amanda’s Worlds Pilate is one of the most distinguished (Irinan kuolemat) (Amandan maailmat) (Pilatus) contemporary Finnish authors. PAGES: 150 PAGES: 150 PAGES: 420 He has been living in Sweden, FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish in FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish in FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish in near Gothenburg, since 1996. 2015 by Like Publishing 2017 by Like Publishing 2016 by Like Publishing Sahlberg writes both dense and intense novellas, and In winter 1944, Irina is sent out Amanda has spent a sheltered and Pontius Pilate thinks he has large-scale frescos on historic of bomb-damaged Helsinki to peaceful life in a small house on experienced everything, until subjects. He excels at discussing western Sweden as a war child. the outskirts of a town. When she the gods of Rome decide once profound timeless issues and Adjusting to a new country and meets a young refugee, Amanda again to make a mockery of him. contemporary problems alike. He Swedish foster parents leads wants to help him in his distress. Tragedy meets comedy, mythical has received several important Irina out of the shadows of war She doesn’t realise that at the same figures, Roman emperors and awards and has been nominated and into the shadows of peace time she is putting her own life Jewish prophets. In the style of for the Nordic Council Literature time and the private nightmare in jeopardy. Mika Waltari, Pilate mercilessly Prize, the Dublin Literary Award of a family weighed down by The acclaimed literary jewels portrays social ascension, greed and the Finlandia Prize three emotional wounds. Amanda’s Worlds and The Many and thirst for power. times. Deaths of Irina read almost like thrillers. The focus is on people who have fled because of war, and on the difficulty in understanding the world surrounding us. Amanda’s Worlds was awarded The social aspect and the human ethos in the Savonia Literary Prize Sahlberg’s writing resemble another Finnish master, namely Aki Kaurismäki. Runerberg Prize Jury

25 Fiction | Petri Tamminen Sea Novel serves up a solid portion of solace, seasoned with just the right amount of humour and beauty. Much like in the films of the loveable bowler-hat wearing tramp called Charlie. Keskisuomalainen Sea Novel (Meriromaani) PAGES: 142 FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish in 2015 by Otava Publishing Company

Delightfully high-spirited novella about a captain who manages to sink one ship after another while sailing the high seas. The village masters have grand designs for Vilhelm. The young captain would do well to sail the seas to gather wealth. Vilhelm wants to live up to the expectations, but hoto: V ille Juurikkala hoto:

he was not born under the auspices of fate. P Keep your chin up and the mainsail raised! Much like PETRI TAMMINEN (b. 1966) the protagonist of a silent film, Vilhelm always picks is the Finnish master of laconic himself up to face new adversities. humour. According to the author himself, ”Finnish humour is like a truffle: it takes a pig to find it.” Tamminen’s works are concise, and the secret of his accurate Crime Novel expression is simple. The key themes in his writing (Rikosromaani) include existential issues of a PAGES: 173 modern man. Other favourite FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish in 2013 by Otava topics are shyness and shame, Publishing Company which he describes through his A bride left at the altar, a counsellor of state on sick leave personal experiences without because of depression, people anguished by the overly ever sparing himself. frank results of a physical or a medical report. Humiliated, Tamminen’s works include dejected souls, suffering and shame. novels, short stories, short prose Hermann Ångström, wreaker of intangible malice, and radio plays. He has been glides through the darkness of night, subjecting his awarded a number of literary victims to a series of social shames and amorphous grief. prizes and has been nominated The targets of his attacks are impossible to predict, as are for the Finlandia Prize. his methods, and only rarely does he seek financial gain. Who is Ångström, and what is he avenging? This agonisingly hilarious suspense story was nom- inated for the Runeberg Prize.

26 Siri Kolu | Crossover Fiction

“I’m not your daughter, and if I can’t be your son, I can’t be your child anymore.”

It All Changes After The Summer (Kesän jälkeen kaikki on toisin) PAGES: 140 FIRST PUBLISHED IN Finnish in 2016 by Otava Publishing Company

The price to pay for becoming oneself is high for Peetu. So high, that he will pay it : mirva kakko : mirva OTO h

P regardless of the consequences. Peetu was SIRI KOLU (b. 1972) is a writer, given the name Petra at birth, although dramatist, director, and theatre Peetu has never been Petra. instructor. She is a Finlandia In September Peetu turns 18 and goes Junior Prize winner and her works have been published for corrective surgery. Until then, all Peetu in 18 languages. She has been can do is wait. The waiting is made easier awarded the Laivakello Prize by going flying with dad. Flying in a glider, by the Finnish Institute for almost to the top of the sky. For ten flights Children's Literature and in the Peetu and dad share a lightness, where Netherlands, Kolu won the Silver words flow more easily and you can talk Slate Pencil (Zilveren Griffel). She is a front-line author with about anything. a strong voice and a wide range This powerful YA novel was short-listed from humourous middle grade to edgy YA, crossover fiction for Finland Junior Prize in 2016 and it and beyond. won the Topelius Prize in 2017. Her children’s novel Me and the Robbersons, the start of The Robbersons series, was recently The story of a young person facing major life- selected as one of the Honour choices is a gentle and touching portrayal of titles in British BookTrust’s In Other Words translation growing into adulthood and being oneself. competition. Finlandia Prize Jury

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